Richard to Start In Place of Contreras

By Benjy Lipsman in News on May 11, 2009 4:00PM

Following yet another horrid start by Jose Contreras on Saturday (5 runs in 3.2 innings), White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has decided to make a change to his pitching rotation. When the Sox take the field in Cleveland on Wednesday, Clayton Richard will be on the mound.

The change comes because the aging Cuban, trying to bounce back from an achilles injury late last season, continues to struggle with his control. Sporting an 0-5 record and 8.19 ERA after six starts, Contreras has been designated for assignment in the minor leagues, but he'll have to clear waivers before he can report. Given his $11 million salary, that's not likely. Waiting for the waivers period to expire, Contreras did travel to Cleveland with the Sox and could theoretically see action out of the bullpen before heading to Charlotte. And while Contreras could demand free agency on account of his major league service time, he wants to go back down to the minors in order to work on his control in hopes of rejoining the big league club soon.

But if Contreras can't regain his old form, is Richard the long-term solution for the Sox? He started eight times last season and was 2-5 with a 6.35 ERA. We foresee the fifth starter spot in the rotation becoming a revolving door for the near future.